The Modern Method of Training for Running, Walking, Rowing & Boxing

18 PEDESTEIANISM. complaint,a continued civil war has arisen in tlie cabinet, wliicli has not been quelled per­ haps until the dissensionhas had a veryserious effectin destroying the pedestrian'sconfidence in his trainer's capabilities and temper, as well as throwing back the trained man most materially in his advance towards condition. Nevertheless, the mentor should be firm in his manner,intelligiblein his explanations, and by no means bigoted in his favourite notionsre­ specting the use of any particular medicine or " nostrum" which he may think may be requisite to the welfare of his man. The trainer, of course, is known or supposedto bo of sterling integrity, and having the welfare of his man as his first aim; and on this in a great measure depends the monetaryinterests of the man and his backers. We are sorry to have to mentionthat such a man is requisite as a trainer, but considerit necessary to men­ tion it, as, if the trainer is not honest,and has not his heart in the well-doing of his man, all the pains taken by the pedestrian would be nullified and rendered of no avail. Having arrived thus far, we haveshown that the office of a trainer is no bed of roses: he must be vigilant night and day, never leave his man, and, as webeforestated, ho must act according to his preaching,and beas abstemious,or nearly so, as his man, whomit is his duty to encourage in improvement, to cheerwhendespondent, and to checkif there are at any time symptomsofa break-outfromthe rules laid down—butat all ADVICE TO TEAINEllS. 19 timeshe must,by anecdote, etc.,keepthe mind of his man amused,so that hemay not broodover the privationshe is undergoing. Let thetrainef not forget that cleanliness is one of the first rulesto beattended to, and that the bath can hardlyhurt his man in any season if onlydue precautions be observed, always bearing in mind that it is a preventive instead of a pro­ vocativeto colds,catarrhs, and the long list of ills attendant upon a sudden chill. The du­ ration of the bath is, of course,to be limited, and a brisk rubbing with coarse linen cloths until the surface is in a glow will always be found sufficient to ensure perfect safety from danger. Of course, the amount of physic required^ by any man will depend upon his constitutionas well as the lownessof his ner­ voussystem, in some casesthere beingno oc­ casion to administer even a purgative. But these are the times when the skill of the trainer is brought into requisition, and if ho knowshis business he will in these instances givehis man stimulating and generous diet until he is enabled to undergo the necessary privationsto get hiin into a proper state to bt calledupon to workto get into condition. In nc instance ought he to allow his man to sweat during the days on which he has taken a pur­ gative, as in many instances men have been ,thrown back in their preparation, or, as it is professionally termed," trained off." The best test when all the superfluous flesh has been trained off by sweating, by long walks or